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Looking Forward to the Games of 2018

Every year, there is a slew of new games that come out of every size and genre. While I don’t often buy new games fresh off of the shelf, I try to reserve a bit of my entertainment stash to stoke my gaming fires with some current releases. Given, I’ve run into a few flops in my anticipatory planning for years past, but I’m usually pleased with what I’ve plotted to add to my ever-growing video game library.

It’s no surprise that I’m looking forward to this month’s release of Secret of Mana, as I’ve discussed recently. There are plenty of other titles that are calling to me across all platforms, but picking through those, I’ve come across a few that I’m especially excited for in a number of ways.

Feel free to kick back, check out some trailers, and check out some of my most promising titles to come into my gaming cases that are releasing this year!

STATE OF DECAY 2PC, XBox One2018

In their original offering with State of Decay back in 2013, Undead Labs gave us a unique experience in the early stages of the zombie craze that swept through the video game playground. With the emphasis on an ensemble cast of characters, community building, and thorough exploration, the game was surprisingly easy to jump into and fun to traverse in its single campaign. There were a few shortcomings, though, notably a lack of multiplayer in a game that felt perfectly matched for the game’s interface.

When I heard that State of Decay 2 is slated to come out this year, the first thing I checked into was the status of multiplayer functions. Fans of the original should be happy to hear that the plan is to feature four-player co-op among some of the other upgrades to the progression system of the original title. While the wave of undead games has grown tired over the past few years, I have to say that my fervor for State of Decay 2 makes me feel a new excitement for the trope.

NI NO KUNI 2: REVENANT KINGDOMPC, Playstation 4March 23rd, 2018

Level-5’s Ni No Kuni was a game that hooked me from the opening and didn’t let go until well after I finished the post game content. With Studio Ghibli’s visuals and the wonder and depth of the world presented by Level-5, every element of the game was immediately appealing to my RPG obsessed inclinations.

Despite the fact that it’s been delayed twice- the game is now slated to release worldwide on March 23rd- I can’t help but feel that this spells better things for a game I’ve been anticipating since finishing its predecessor. While Studio Ghibli is no longer involved, the game’s development has involved some key players from the company and Level-5 is promising a deeper story and stronger visuals. If this lives up to the quality of the original in any aspect, it will be well worth the price of admission.

OCTOPATH TRAVELLERNintendo Switch2018

It’s been a while since I eagerly looked forward to a game from Square Enix. When Project Octopath Traveler was announced, it felt like a return to form. Tentatively, I’ve been keeping an eye out for any information on the title, though it has been slow until recently. With the release of the demo on the Nintendo Switch, I took a chance on experiencing a small slice of the game and what it had to offer.

Octopath Traveler feels like a spiritual successor to the SaGa series in all of the best ways. With a selection of eight characters to experience the story with, a battle system akin to Bravely Default, and some airtight writing and music, the demo made me fall in love with what Octopath Traveler had to offer. I’m genuinely eager for a title from Square Enix, and based on the company’s urging for feedback at the end of the demo, it feels like they may be aiming to satisfy their supporters with the best product they can.

OOBLETSPC, XBox One2018

Given the popularity of Stardew Valley, it doesn’t surprise me to see upcoming games compared to the runaway success. I was unaware of Ooblets until my husband pointed it out to me and after watching the trailer and seeing what the game is attempting, I have to say that I’m more than a little intrigued.

Already being compared to Harvest Moon, Animal Crossing, and Pokemon, the game is part farming sim, part town and social sim, and part training and battle RPG. The visuals are quirky and adorable, and it seems like another title I could sit down to play for a half an hour and lose a whole night to. If this game delivers on what it’s offering, it’ll easily become an addiction for me in 2018.

Despite not actually completing any of the titles in the Valkyria Chronicles series, it has been nothing but charming to me. While I was a little disappointed in the recent Valkyria Revolution, knowing that Sega is going back to form with the fourth entry to the series makes me excited to forge through and complete the other titles.

Veering away from the tones of the second and third titles, Valkyria Chronicles 4 is set to return to the beautiful visuals and promises to present a more grounded and military setting in its characters and the story. Given the alternate history tales set up by the previous pieces in the series, I’m hoping that with the desire to come back to form that this entry will rekindle my love of the series.

SHIN MEGAMI TENSEI 5Nintendo Switch2018

There is no promise of the latest Shin Megami Tensei game coming out on the Switch this year, but since it was announced, I’ve been salivating at the prospect of continuing on with the series. The only information that we’ve received is that Shin Megami Tensei 5 will be released in the West, and the trailer that was presented showed that the series is not straying from its mature themes and story.

This is one of the more wishful entries on the list, but I’m hoping we’ll get more information as the year progresses that might confirm a 2018 release.

There are quite a few sequels and some offbeat titles in there, but I know I’m also always surprised by sudden announcements and indie games that pop out of nowhere. I may find myself updating this list to include other titles as the year progresses. Keeping to titles that have already been announced, though, here is just a small peak into the games that I am looking forward to the most in the upcoming year.

Are there any games you’re particularly excited for? Maybe some recommendations you have based on these that I may have missed? Let me know in the comments! I’d love to know what folks are excited about coming out this year!

11 thoughts on “Looking Forward to the Games of 2018”

I may have to pull the trigger on State of Decay 2. I logged over 200 hours on it back in ~2013, it was the perfect game for me. Well, Breakdown mode specifically. Made it up to level 99! Perfect combination of action, horror, and being alone and feeling helpless. At a certain point, every subsequent round became about finding a working car.. it was great.

On a different note, I nominated you for a Mystery Blogger Award, and it is my duty according to the rules to tell you in a comment 🙂

The DLC was great! I kinda wish they kept going with it or came up with a new map though for Breakdown, or at least let you play Breakdown on the new map which is was TOUGH already. Looking forward to SoD 2 though.

It seems like everyone is looking forward to different games this year. I think it’s a good sign, as it might mean that the medium will keep up the momentum from 2017 and give us a treasure trove of great games as well.

Oh, for sure! This post doesn’t even get into some of the other titles I’m excited for but probably can’t get on day one. The list keeps growing, but the variety in what everyone is waiting for and why is getting me psyched for this year’s offerings.